Arsenal great Nigel Winterburn thinks Mikel Arteta deserves a chance to oversee what he describes as a 'big transitional period' at the club.
The Gunners recently finished eighth in the Premier League and missed out on European qualification for the first time in over 20 years.
A loss to Villarreal in the Europa League semi-final compounded Arsenal's woes and led to calls for Arteta to be replaced.
The Spaniard took over from Unai Emery in December 2019 and won the FA Cup in his first season in charge.
A lack of improvement this season has worried some Arsenal fans, but Winterburn thinks Arteta must be given sufficient time to instil his own philosophy.
"Personally, I'd like him to still be in charge, I think we are in a big transitional period at Arsenal," Winterburn told Tribal Football, on behalf ofFreeSuperTips.
"I think we've seen that with the changes in managers over the past few years and I'm hoping that Arteta can make some changes to this current squad.
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"We need big improvements in consistency which has been the main problem from looking at the games from across the season.
"The difference between their good and bad performances, even within 90 minutes, is way too much and that's what has cost Arsenal.
"It's time to shake up the squad, but I'd like Mikel Artete to oversee that and be given another season."
Arteta will get the chance to enjoy a full preseason with his team for the first time after last summer's preparations were disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.
It is a period, according to Winterburn, in which Arteta's coaching ability will be tested.
He added: "I think it's been difficult in terms of coaching because of the hectic schedule, and it's been too strange of a season in general.
"I'd like to see him take a full pre-season and see what impact training has on the team throughout the weeks considering Arsenal aren't in Europe next season.
"This will tell us a lot about Mikel Arteta and his coaching and whether he will take Arsenal back to where we want to be.
"I want to see a little bit of stability and to see what can happen for at least another season."